286. I have spent the majority of my life in the same 286 square miles. My parents, sister, and I lived on 13 acres of land, surrounded by forest, pastures, and chicken houses. I thought the community was large growing up, but compared to what I know now, it is considered a small community. I graduated at the only high school in the county with approximately 300 people in my graduating class, most of whom I knew. Being raised in a rural, Georgia town, the farthest I have ever been from home is to Indianapolis, a 578 mile road trip or 45 minute flight. Never have I ever crossed the Mississippi River, let alone ventured to another country. But in less than four days, I will be boarding a nine hour flight  to spend a week in Scotland. When applying for the Scotland Study Abroad trip, I knew that even if I wasn’t let into the program I wanted to travel and see the world. On September 17th, I walked into UGA’s Tate Building and applied for my very first passport. I got so excited when I was collecting the correct paperwork and saving the money to buy this one piece of paper that would allow me to see the world outside of America. It felt like Christmas morning when a month later my passport arrived in the mail and a month after that I was accepted into the Scotland Study Abroad trip. It is daunting to think that in a few short days I will soon leave my comfort zone of 286 square miles to travel 3,932 miles. As nervous as I am for this, I can’t help but be overwhelmed with joy to experience this opportunity of a lifetime. Even more so, I know that after going to Scotland, I will be excited and ready to see any part of the world. Scotland, here I come.